Vancouver, one of the most populated cities in Canada, is also a major coastal port connecting North America with Asia. Indeed, the largest foreign population consists of Asians. Landscape-wise, this city is surrounded by mountains, creating a stunning contrast of ocean, skyscrapers, and snow-capped peaks. Before the trip, I always knew Vancouver was also a food hub, especially renowned for its delicious Asian food, which made me look forward to the trip even more! Similar to my New York blog, this blog focuses mainly on the food and places visited.
I am a skyline lover, so the first thing I do when visiting a city is to find the “perfect” place for observing skylines. In Vancouver, one ideal spot is Queen Elizabeth Park. It is not only expansive, offering multiple landscapes, but it also has a hill over 100 meters above sea level. At the top of the hill, I found a reasonably good spot to take photos. It was fascinating to see the city, harbor, and mountains in one view, but unfortunately, some trees blocked the downtown sight. I bet if you want the best photo, you would need a drone with a camera.
Vancouver covers a large urban area, but the downtown core is relatively small yet packed with business districts, shopping areas, and a variety of clubs and restaurants. Within downtown, there are fantastically designed buildings isolated among traditional ones. If you think the park isn’t high enough, then don’t hesitate to try the Vancouver Lookout – a sister of the Seattle Space Needle. Like many tourist towers, it offers a 360-degree view of the city. One thing to emphasize is that the elevator faces the city. As it rose above the ground and buildings, my hands got so sweaty! 
Gastown immediately transported me back to Europe, and the world’s first steam-powered clock is a must-see. Watching the steel balls run up and down inside the clock was fascinating, though the steam and water spray from the clock’s roar was less enjoyable.
Heading northwest from downtown, you will find a huge park – Stanley Park, which is almost as large as downtown Vancouver itself. It was too big for us to visit every point of interest (aquarium, lighthouse, museum, and more) in our limited time. We headed directly to the northern tip – Prospect Point Lookout to check out the Lions Gate Bridge, which felt like a green version of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Now let’s talk about food. Vancouver is well-known for its Asian food because, as I mentioned earlier, it is a crucial port city connecting to the other side of the ocean. We had Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Hong Kong, and Vietnamese food during our visit. Overall, they were decent, but they couldn’t compare to the variety and quality found in New York and Paris. 
Unfortunately, the Chinese food in Vancouver was particularly disappointing. The Dim Sum dishes at New Mandarin Seafood Restaurant were mostly delicious. Just looking at my photos makes my mouth water. Bun Cha Ca Hoang Yen satisfied us the most with its exceptional pho. The pho soup was so rich in herbal flavor, unlike any I’ve tasted elsewhere.
Overall, Vancouver offers a unique blend of stunning natural landscapes and diverse culinary experiences. Despite a few culinary disappointments, the city’s vibrant food scene and breathtaking views left a nice impression. While it may not have exceeded all my expectations, Vancouver is still a fascinating destination worth exploring.
From Skyline Wonders to Tasty Treasures in Vancouver
Vancouver, one of the most populated cities in Canada, is also a major coastal port connecting North America with Asia. Indeed, the largest foreign population consists of Asians. Landscape-wise, this city is surrounded by mountains, creating a stunning contrast of ocean, skyscrapers, and snow-capped peaks. Before the trip, I always knew Vancouver was also a food hub, especially renowned for its delicious Asian food, which made me look forward to the trip even more! Similar to my New York blog, this blog focuses mainly on the food and places visited.
I am a skyline lover, so the first thing I do when visiting a city is to find the “perfect” place for observing skylines. In Vancouver, one ideal spot is Queen Elizabeth Park. It is not only expansive, offering multiple landscapes, but it also has a hill over 100 meters above sea level. At the top of the hill, I found a reasonably good spot to take photos. It was fascinating to see the city, harbor, and mountains in one view, but unfortunately, some trees blocked the downtown sight. I bet if you want the best photo, you would need a drone with a camera.
Vancouver covers a large urban area, but the downtown core is relatively small yet packed with business districts, shopping areas, and a variety of clubs and restaurants. Within downtown, there are fantastically designed buildings isolated among traditional ones. If you think the park isn’t high enough, then don’t hesitate to try the Vancouver Lookout – a sister of the Seattle Space Needle.
Like many tourist towers, it offers a 360-degree view of the city. One thing to emphasize is that the elevator faces the city. As it rose above the ground and buildings, my hands got so sweaty! Gastown immediately transported me back to Europe, and the world’s first steam-powered clock is a must-see. Watching the steel balls run up and down inside the clock was fascinating, though the steam and water spray from the clock’s roar was less enjoyable.
Heading northwest from downtown, you will find a huge park – Stanley Park, which is almost as large as downtown Vancouver itself. It was too big for us to visit every point of interest (aquarium, lighthouse, museum, and more) in our limited time. We headed directly to the northern tip – Prospect Point Lookout to check out the Lions Gate Bridge, which felt like a green version of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Now let’s talk about food. Vancouver is well-known for its Asian food because, as I mentioned earlier, it is a crucial port city connecting to the other side of the ocean. We had Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Hong Kong, and Vietnamese food during our visit. Overall, they were decent, but they couldn’t compare to the variety and quality found in New York and Paris. Unfortunately, the Chinese food in Vancouver was particularly disappointing. The Dim Sum dishes at New Mandarin Seafood Restaurant were mostly delicious. Just looking at my photos makes my mouth water.
Bun Cha Ca Hoang Yen satisfied us the most with its exceptional pho. The pho soup was so rich in herbal flavor, unlike any I’ve tasted elsewhere.
Overall, Vancouver offers a unique blend of stunning natural landscapes and diverse culinary experiences. Despite a few culinary disappointments, the city’s vibrant food scene and breathtaking views left a nice impression. While it may not have exceeded all my expectations, Vancouver is still a fascinating destination worth exploring.